The Devil In The Top Hat

Chapter Two: Father and Daughter

Hershel Layton, professor at Gressenheller University, seemed to the public as the picture of a perfect gentleman, calm and collected. However, certain events in his past have caused him to have a different behavior, such that would make him unrecognizable to everyone else.

It takes time for one to train to appear as a gentleman, and he always had the guidance of his girlfriend, Claire Foley. But a tragic accident caused him, for a moment, to lose it all.

The first time, he was in a state of shock and grief, but he had time to grieve alone. He lost her again, and this time he has a daughter to care for. He cannot spend days gradually moving on. Not this time.

Even in his emotional instability, he must be a gentleman and a father, and not worry so much about himself. After all, "a true gentleman never makes a scene." But the more you try to contain it, and hold it inside, the bigger the explosion.

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It was dark, Hershel could hardly even see his own hand in front if him. Out from the darkness, a soft, familiar voice called out to him,

"Hello again, Hershel," some light shone through as she spoke, revealing the voice as hershel's girlfriend.

"Claire?!" He stepped forward, asking hesitantly in a state of shock,"Is it really you?"

She laughed gently, turning away as something else caught her eye. It was a large machine, the time machine. Dimitri Allen, stood there, smirking as he opened the door, beckoning Claire to enter.

Seeing she was walking to it, Hershel called out, "No, Claire!" He ran after her but the more he ran, the farther away she became from him until she entered the capsule of the machine. Dimitri closed the door, and almost immediately... it exploded.

The room was in flames, pieces of rubble scattered everywhere. Hershel searching frantically for Claire but when he found her, it was too late.

"Remember, Hershel, that's the price she had to pay" Dimitri said, laughing at Hershel's pathetic attempt to save her. He was entirely unharmed just watching as Hershel broke apart in tears.

"It's too bad really, I suppose we could have worked harder..."

The flames engulfed the three as the walls collapsed over them. Hershel held Claire tightly, weeping over the loss of his loved one. But all the while Dimitri smugly looked down on them, maniacally snickering. It was far too much... Layton stood up, running in anger to Dimitri and yelled out.

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He stopped abruptly, opening his eyes to see his bedroom, his mouth gaping open mid-scream. It was all just another nightmare. The 3rd one since Hershel lost Claire. Although he was awake, he still felt his blood boiling inside him with anger. It was all Dimitri's fault and that dreaded time machine. He had never done enough to try to save Claire, he didn't even care. He was the one who had to pay--- No, That's not the way a gentleman should think. Hershel took deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves.

Because he was already awake, and didn't really wish to return to that terrible dream, Layton brought himself out of bed. Changing into his regular orange shirt, brown pants and shoes, he made his way towards the kitchen to make a calming cup of tea: Belle Classic.

He brought out his tea kit he had received a year ago from a kind old woman in Dropstone. Ah that adventure was an interesting puzzle indeed. He was in the process of brewing his tea when Flora entered the kitchen, smiling as she straightened her pink bow above her ponytail.

"Good morning, Flora."
"Good morning, Dad!"

'Dad...' It had been over 3 years, yet he still could not get himself accustomed to that title. Flora was a cheerful girl, not very skilled in cooking but a kind girl just the same. She sat down at the table preparing to eat her breakfast. ()

"So..." She began, struggling to make conversation, but she soon found a topic to speak of, "is Claire going to visit us sometime? You too are soooo cute together!"

*SLAM* *CRASH*

Hershel slammed his fist on the counter, causing his tea cup to crash into thousands of pieces on the floor, startling his daughter. He stood there bent over the counter, one fist still on its surface, the other hand clutching his head. Flashbacks of him and Claire together rushed through his head, causing him to have a massive headache. She just HAD to bring ups Claire, no other topic at all...

"She's dead..." He murmured between clenched teeth, "and she is never coming back!" He yelled out slamming his fist once again, his eyes now watering. He breathed heavily, trying to calm his emotions of anger and sadness.

Then he looked up at Flora, who stared at him in complete fright and confusion. This sobered him, now realizing what he had done. He had acted poorly, as a gentleman and as a father. She couldn't possibly have known about Claire's death, he had never even told her the whole story.

He loosened his fist, straightened up his position and walked towards the table. Sitting down, he looked at his daughter, still looking shocked.

"Flora," he started, "I am so sorry, I did not mean to frighten you. I acted poorly... as a gentleman... and as your father."

He briefly described Claire's story to her, trying not to break down into tears while remembering. She now looked at him with compassion, and within seconds, her arms were wrapped around him. She hugged him tightly, and he returned the embrace.

"It's ok, Dad" she whispered, smiling.